When Are You Leaving?

Leaving

I was having a nice chat with my cousin Ramani during our recent family get-together at Chennai when another relative came across and asked me “When are you leaving?” Before I could answer, Ramani responded  asking him to be more specific by asking me as to when I intended leaving from Chennai or from this world.

Now, that is the kind of humour that I can expect from my relatives who are all nearing the stage when every day is a bonus.  All of us had a great laugh and the moment passed, but the quip has stayed with me as to how fickle our life really is, particularly since my return to Pune when every morning’s tally of the number of people killed in the recent landslide keeps going up. And there are other reports of people killed in accidents, the war in the Middle East and so on and so forth.

On the other hand, new life keeps coming up and there are also news of them, but not as much as I would like to see in the media. But I do know that it is happening and that is the beauty of life.  It keeps going on and death and birth are but two sides of the same coin.

So, the next time I am asked this question, I intend answering “I am ready and willing to go now.”

Ah, if only things would be so simple.

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15 thoughts on “When Are You Leaving?”

  1. I, too, am old enough to think in terms of when will I leave this earth. I don’t worry about when, but the how is a different story. In my sleep would be just fine, thank you. Just in case anyone is taking requests.
    Cheerful Monk recently posted..Changing Landscape

  2. Ramana, you may be “ready to go” – and what a sorry day that will be (for me and, no doubt, many others). I myself am not ready to go – not least because I can’t leave the Angel with one hell of a mess of paperwork needing to be filed. I am convinced – and it makes me laugh – that the only reason I don’t get on with it [putting everything into order] is because until I do I can’t possibly die. Beat that reasoning.

    Ramana, if there is one thing I don’t like about life, particularly as I am given to the odd pang of anxiety, it is that damned Sword of Damocles hanging over all our heads. I feel so stupidly grateful every day I wake up without being dead.

    I’d be so much happier on that score if only I KNEW. If I were told “the date” I’d be prepared. Everything ship shape. But this not knowing WHEN is contrary to the way I was built. Leaving me restless, not at peace.

    Other than that: I ate half a melon which made me think of you. Why? I don’t know. It just did.

    U
    Ursula recently posted..Beanstalks

  3. In rural parts of Ireland, the question asked is: When did you come and when are you going? I think the idea behind it is to check if they will have another opportunity (with more time) to spend with the visitor. I have always been aware of the ‘one out and one in’ phenomenon, it somehow brings comfort to see or hear of the new arrival.
    Grannymar recently posted..Sunday Oneliners ~ 40

    1. That is an interesting greeting. In my story too, the intent was for the asker to find out how long I was planning to stay in Chennai so that he could fit in a meeting.

  4. 🙂 … Like your post’s associated cartoon!

    Your posed question I have not a problem with whatsoever. I’m ready to go, have been for quite a long time now and usually I need little prodding to bellow out my feelings on the subject.

    For some it is much easier to let go that others and I can understand that. I have no wife and no children, therefore the main reason most want to extend their stay here on earth is obvious and well warranted.

    The other factor that looms large for me is the health factor. The more my enjoyment of all aspects of the life I have lived is affected and curtailed by health issues and physical abilities, the further I have leaned toward being ready to just move on and leave it all behind… no regrets!
    Alan G recently posted..Movie Review – “The Butler” (2013)

    1. The health factor hangs over all of us like the damocles sword. If you have been following my posts you will understand my desire to go without being a problem for others.

  6. Life is indeed uncertain, death is not. I searched for the keyword “death” on my blog and here is a list… (long one) … http://business2buddha.com//?s=death&search=Go (I felt almost all blogs to be good reads)

    Your blog touched deeply uncleji, I would not want you to leave and I know whenever it is, it would be too early for me. You know, I am your long lost nephew met only after 30 years? So you have to compensate for those 30 years, ok!
    KRD Pravin recently posted..Religion is poison

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